Malappuram: The ragging incident of first year students by their seniors at the Government Medical College, Manjeri has led to the suspension of 21 students involved in the alleged incident. This may also have an adverse impact on the approval of the college by the Medical Council of India(MCI) for the next academic session.

The college’s anti ragging committee has however, been prompt in taking a decision to suspend the students and also turn them out of the hostel. The action was taken by the college authorities on Monday, after receiving complaints from 41 students studying in the first year MBBS course against their seniors in the second and third year.It is believed that the victims of the incident were asked to clean toilets and also forced to drink contaminated water.

The college authorities claim that they have acted in accordance with law following the complaints of ragging. They also said that this was the first incident to have occurred since the establishment of the college, four years ago. They also felt that the incident would not have an impact on the college, as the institution was still in its infancy.

The In-charge, Men’s Hostel,P.S. Sanjay,where the ragging incident took place said that the college was looking at the happening seriously, and that was the reason why prompt action had been taken.

The appointed three member committee, comprising of surgeon P.J. Babu, psychiatrist C. Ajita and pathologist Supriya is expected to submit its report to the principal of the college by Wednesday.

Re-admission of the students suspended would depend on the decision reached by the anti-ragging committee of the college.

The incident may impact the college’s approval by the Medical Council of India (MCI), adds Hindu. As per the Section 8.3 of the Medical Council of India (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges/Institutions) Regulations, 2009, MCI can take following actions against the college

8.3.1 Impose an exemplary fine of Rs. 1 lakh for each incident of ragging payable by erring medical college/institution to such authority as may be designated by the appropriate Govt., as the case may be.

8.3.2 Declare the erring Medical College/Institution/University as not having the minimum academic standards and warning the potential candidates for admission at such institution through public notice and posing on the MCI website.

8.3.3 Declare the erring Medical College/Institution/University to be ineligible for preferring any application u/s 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 for a minimum period of one year, extendable by such quantum by the Council as would be commensurate with the wrong.